The group aims to help in taking healthcare facilities in the country to international standards, Shetty, who is also the founder of the UAE Exchange, told reporters here yesterday.

The group would start its operations in India from the Kerala capital by taking over the SUT hospital here. The existing facilities in the hospital would be upgraded and new cardiology, orthopaedics, oncology units and trauma care centre would be set up in the hospital, he said.

Shetty said the group proposed to have a network of hospitals across the country and would be taking over some hospitals in Punjab, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh soon.

Shetty said of the 22,000 Indians employed in NMC companies across the world, 80 per cent were from Kerala.

NMC India chief Sudhakar Jayaram was also present at the press conference.